Eight snowmobilers are unaccounted for and feared dead near Fernie, B.C., after an avalanche buried some of them — and a second avalanche buried their would-be rescuers.
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The RCMP statement, which described the situation as a tragedy, said all 11 riders involved are males from the nearby town of Sparwood. It did not give their names or ages.
ziggy
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:38 am
More of my buds gone,Sparwoods 20 minutes from me.I'll know all those guys.
ziggy
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:42 am
We used to run the "Inn on the border" which was a sled rental and bed and breakfast place on the alta/BC border.It was a 30 minute ride to that area.
I used to guide the brother in laws tours up there.Avalanches were a common thing.
ziggy
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:26 am
The avalanch was at harvie pass at 29 mile up the flathead road.I knew most of them but since their still searching I wont post any names but they were all young guys.
Brenda
CKA Uber
Posts: 50938
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:43 am
So sad... Rest in peace...
ziggy
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:04 pm
These boys were all fairly experienced in the back country but made one fatal mistake and thats rushing in to dig out their buds before making sure the slope was stable. We lose about 5 guys every year to avalanche's there. When your highmarking with a snowmobile it's not a question of "if" you will be involved in one but when. That area also can get a meter of snow a night so it's high risk all the time.I've done my share of search and rescue's in that area.
ziggy
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:38 pm
Man this is so sad,4 hours left and the parents are still waiting for word on the missing. Doesnt look good.
EDIT-our search team in town is going out tomorrow to do a fine line search so this will be a hard night for the parents.
CKA Uber 
